The novelties of the next Formula 1 season

Everyone is on the hunt for Max Verstappen, the reigning World Champion after the heart-stopping season finale of 2021. This is the announced goal of the Formula 1 drivers, who are ready to get behind the wheel of their racecars again for the start of the new season. The smell of burning tires, the music of roaring engines, helmets fastened and off to a new year of racing around the circuits of the world. The F1 Circus is back for the most revolutionary season in 40 years: in the words of Adrian Newey, technical director of Scuderia Red Bull. The world of the fastest racecars on the planet has been completely reinvented. In fact, in 2022 everything will change, from the actual rules to the technical dictates for the design of the new cars, so as to give new life to a sport that, with the exception of the sensational last championship, was beginning to make even the most ardent fans yawn. 

This epoch-making change was supposed to arrive in 2021, but then postponed to 2022 due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. This revolution was conceived to reduce costs and increase the spectacle on the track, with the intent to level the performance of the teams. The most radical technical change concerns the aerodynamic department of the cars with the return of the "ground effect", but the tires have also been modified, as well as the rims, brakes, front and rear wings and the weight of the cars. 

New wheels

The change that immediately catches the eye is definitely the one concerning the wheels. In fact, there is a substantial change in the diameter of the wheels, from 13 inches to 18. There is also a total change in the tires and brake discs, which in turn go from 11 to 13 inches, thus totally changing the interpretation of braking. 

Aerodynamics and ground effect

Another revolutionary change, which is also a return to the past, concerns aerodynamics. The ground effect returns with the presence of tunnels under the body of the cars. And precisely on this element, the teams will have more freedom to maneuver. The FIA has in fact left an open space for the development of this section of the cars, both in terms of width and height above ground. Ailerons, on the other hand, will have to comply with specific rules and will have to be much less sophisticated and effective. The front wing will have to be at one with the nose, while the rear wing will be wider and higher than in recent years. 

Aerodynamics will be much more simplified, therefore, with the intention of favouring overtaking and significantly reducing the effectiveness of the slipstream. These new rules have been introduced to make designers and engineers imagine the bottom of the cars as the essential component from which to get grip.

Frozen engines and new fuel

Mainly for cost reasons, this season's engines will be frozen for the next three years. However, this decision is also aimed at helping the designers in the development of the new engines that will make their debut in 2026. In addition to this freeze, the engines will have to run on a new type of gasoline: E10 fuel, in which the ethanol content increases from 5.75% in 2021 to 10%. This is a big problem for the drivers who have noticed a drastic decrease in power during the first tests. But the work of the fuel suppliers and the adaptation of the thermal part on the new power units, had made the loss of horsepower been significantly contained compared to what was initially expected. 

News for the Sprint Races

Also in this World Championship three Sprint Races will be held, at Imola for the Emilia Romagna GP, at the Red Bull Ring (Austrian GP) and at Interlagos (Brazilian GP). However, there will be differences compared to last season. First of all, the fast race will assign points, from eight to one, to the first eight positions and not only to the first three. The pole position of the GP on Sunday will be assigned on Friday. 

What the tests said 

The last tests, which took place in Bahrain, confirmed that Red Bull is still the team to beat. A revolutionary racecar, but one that already seemed to be well-balanced and with Verstappen, the world champion, intent more than ever on reconfirming his position. Ferrari made a great impression, with fans hoping and crossing their fingers for a season as protagonists. The car, which even on the track has shown the aggressiveness shown at the time of its presentation, seems to be well studied and tested with Charles Leclerc who has adapted well to the new style of the car. And in Bahrain, the Monegasque and Verstappen have already given a taste of what will be seen on the track this season with overtaking and counter-overtaking. 

Mercedes, on the other hand, has continued to hide and work under the radar, but the team of the Silver Arrows has won the last eight constructors' championships and so surprises can be expected when the game really starts to count. Hamilton hasn't lost enthusiasm after last season's shocking finish, indeed he seems even more fierce to regain the crown. McLaren, on the other hand, which on balance was the fourth best team in the last championship, comes out of testing with a big question mark. In Bahrain, Ricciardo was not seen because of Covid with Norris who had to carry all the work on his shoulders. The papaya-colored single-seater, however, had major problems.